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At Peg Perego, we love putting our gear to the travel test (especially if it means we get to travel with it). Our innovative, lightweight designs— with their high-tech fabrics and unmatched comfort—practically beg to be taken on the road, making them perfect for all those summer road trips. Whether you’re taking a weekend trip to the lake or trekking cross-country, we’ve got you covered...

Get things rolling with the Book Pop-Up, our newest and most versatile stroller yet. This supersmart three-piece system offers a sturdy chasis, comfy seat and pop-up bassinet wrapped into one easy-to-use travel companion that’s perfect for infants and toddlers. Packing a little lighter? The Pliko Mini is perfectly versatile and meets your little one’s strolling needs no matter the destination. The best part? Both travel-friendly styles fold with ease and tuck away compactly to make room for fun finds you’ll be tempted to collect along the way.

For long car rides and endless sing-alongs, our Primo Viaggio 4-35 will keep your infant snug, safe and smiling. Another travel-favorite is the Primo Viaggio Convertible, perfect for passengers up to 70 pounds. Both super seats effortlessly travel by air and land while maintaining the highest safety standards. A little peace of mind on the road goes a long way!

Lastly, we think bicycles built for two are even cuter when there’s a baby on board! Turn your basic bicycle into a super bike with any of our sleek new child bike seats. Our Orion mounts right up front so baby can keep an eye on the action and you can keep an eye on baby. Another new option, the Eggy is rear-mounted and offers a supermodern design that matches baby’s one-of-a-kind personality. Limited storage space? The Sirius folds up and tucks away with ease, leaving all sorts of space for other travel essentials. With more fabulous getaways (hopefully) on the horizon, you’ll appreciate the adjustable footrests equipped on all three models that grow as baby grows.

With that, we think you’re ready to pack up those baby bags and duffels and hit the road in Peg Perego style! Be sure to share your vacation memories and those classic roadtrip pics with us on Facebook and Instagram with #pegperego.

Babies may be teeny tiny, but they sure do need a lot of stuff! Of all the things a newborn needs, three pieces of gear top our list: a car seat, stroller and high chair. So what should you look for when deciding which pieces to add to your registry? We’re so glad you asked …

1. Car Seat
When selecting a car seat, the most important consideration has to be safety. Our celebrated Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 infant car seat exceeds the most stringent safety tests in the world. Designed for infants from 5 to 30 pounds (or up to 30 inches), the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 features a Side Impact Protection (SIP) head panel that protects a child’s head, neck and spine. This SIP protection easily adjusts to 10 different positions, ensuring a perfect — and safe — fit. The Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 also has energy-absorbing foam in the shell and head panel that absorbs crash forces, resulting in less force transferred directly to child and minimizing injuries in the event of a crash. Plus, a Shock Absorbing Foam Element device located below the shell crumples upon impact, reducing stress on child’s neck and shoulders in the event of a crash. There’s also a five-point safety harness and a special removable cushion just for newborns.

2. Stroller
If you’re searching for a stroller with a newborn in mind, there are some important considerations. First, you’ll need a stroller that offers either a full recline and/or the option of attaching a car seat or bassinet. Most of our strollers are travel-system compatible with our own Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 infant car seat. And our newest stroller, the Book Plus, accommodates both our infant car seat and our newborn-ready bassinet.

3. High Chair
Since it will be months before your new baby will try solid foods, you may think it’s too early to think about a high chair, but a high chair can be a great place for baby at family mealtimes. All of our high chairs have a tilt-in-space reclining seat that’s perfect for young babies, even newborns. Our multifunction Tatamia is especially great for newborns because it transforms from a baby recliner to a high chair to a baby swing.

Need help starting a baby registry? Use our Store Locator to find a Peg Perego near you.

Following your little one from infancy through toddlerhood by converting from a rear-facing (for children 5 to 45 pounds) to a forward-facing (for children 22 to 70 pounds) seat, the Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible is one of the most versatile convertible seats on the market. But don’t take our word for it. Plenty of experts agree …

The editors of Fit Pregnancy included the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible in their 2013 Buyer’s Guide, citing:

“Sleek Italian styling (no crazy patterns here!), reliable safety features and thoughtful design make the Primo Viaggio magnifico! A rear-facing weight limit of 45 pounds (the highest on the market) lets you keep your child rear-facing longer. Plus, its shallow front-to-back measurement means more room for the driver or passenger in front and can make this seat fit gracefully into a smaller car. And the harness adjusts in seconds via a pull-tab on the headrest. Other quality features include breathable fabric and a contoured base, for a snug installation in most seats. In a collision, extra-thick shock-absorbing foam in the seat crumples to reduce crash forces in a collision, and a steel plate in the seat reduces forward movement and flexing.”

“The SIP of Viaggo SIP 5-70 stands for Side Impact Protection. This system protects your child’s head, neck and spine in the event of impact of the lateral nature. It manages this by allowing you to adjust the seat to 10 different positions. The headrest, recline and shoulder straps all adjust to fit your child. The most convenient part of this perk: You can make all the adjustments you need while your child is sitting in the seat, eliminating the guessing game.”

And the best reviews? Well, they’ve been coming from the very best reviewers — all of you! Real moms and dads on Amazon have given the Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible a 5 Star rating. Why? Parents have repeatedly commented on the Convertible’s easy installation and fit (in a variety of vehicles), safety features, style and comfort for baby. Read all the reviews (there are more than 75!) for yourself here.

If you have questions about the Convertible, let us know. And if you have the Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible, share your own review by commenting below. We’d love to hear what you think!

Spring may be getting a slow start in most parts of the country, but at least we have spring break to look forward to. If you’re off to someplace warm (lucky you!), we thought we’d share with you some of our favorite travel advice for traveling with little ones.

Yes, you should bring your car seat, especially if you are flying. The truth is, a child-restraint system — not your lap — is the safest place for your little one during turbulence or in an emergency. “Turbulence,” the Federal Aviation Administration says, “can happen with little or no warning. And when it does, the safest place for your child is in a child-restraint system, not in your lap. Your arms just aren’t capable of holding your child securely, especially when turbulence is unexpected.”

But what about getting through security? Lugging it through the airport? And making it fit on those tiny airplane seats? Read how our online associate, Emily, fared flying with her son and his Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible here.

And yes, you’ll probably want a stroller too. Which stroller should you bring? We get asked that all the time, and it really depends on where you are going and what you’re doing. Generally, our top travel picks include the very versatile Book Plus, the full-featured Pliko Four and the lightweight Pliko Mini. For siblings, we suggest the Aria Twin 60-40.

Where are you headed for spring break? Let us know if you need travel advice or a stroller recommendation. We’d love to hear from you!

Safety, style or comfort? At Peg Perego, we have never believed that you should have to choose just one. For more than 60 years, we’ve created products for families around the globe that meet the very strictest safety standards in the world and the discerning style requirements of the most fashionable of parents. Plus, we design all of our products with baby’s comfort in mind.

Leading prestigious brands work with Alcantara in many sectors: Automotive, Fashion, Home Interiors and Yachts. Super-soft to the touch, Alcantara is breathable, resistant to fading and washable — everything you need for (a very stylish!) baby.

The new year is well underway, and that means new arrivals from Peg Perego.

While we’ve already shared just what’s in store for 2013 (let’s see … there are two new stroller options, a new high chair, a brand-new dining booster seat, updated fabrics and plenty of new accessory must-haves), we know you can’t wait to see all the details.

So … we’ve updated our website with everything you want to know about our 2013 Collection, including all of our newest arrivals and classic Peg Perego favorites.

While you’re visiting our updated site, be sure to check out each product in depth. Online you’ll find not only product features and specifications, but fabric and color information, available accessories and full-length, downloadable owner’s manuals.

And, when you’re ready to shop in person (or ready to buy!), you can use our online Store Locator to find an authorized retailer near you.

(Psst … one more thing. Keep checking back because our website will be getting a brand-new look soon! Stay tuned for details.)

Pop quiz: How long will your school-age child need to stay in a booster seat? The answer may surprise you.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

“Seats belts are made for adults,” the AAP explains. “Boosters are designed to raise your child so the seat belt fits properly.”

Given its critical role, it’s important to find a booster that will fit your child for years to come.

The Viaggio HBB 120 provides total Side Impact Protection that exceeds the most stringent tests in the world. Plus, energy-absorbing Expanded Poly Styrene foam in the head panel protects the child’s head from impact forces.

LATCH connectors provide additional stability and keep the booster seat in place when not in use. Plus, the innovative Viaggio HBB 120 features a six-position head panel that can be adjusted even with your little one in the seat, allowing for the best possible fit for a growing child.

As an added bonus, the Viaggio HBB 120 is pretty stylish too. In addition to a modern design, plush fabrics and convenient accessories like dual cup holders, the Viaggio HBB 120 comes in some pretty cool big-kid-friendly color options, including the new, loved-by-little-girls-everywhere Fucsia (pink), as well as Crystal Black, Crystal Red, Crystal Beige and Licorice.

Want to know more? Check out all the Viaggio HBB 120’s specifications here.

The Viaggio HBB 120 is available now. Use our Store Locator to find a retailer near you.

While we put all the very best safety features in our car seats and put them through rigorous testing, it’s important to remember that no one seat is “best” or “safest.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “the best seat is the one that fits your child’s size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle and is used properly,” which brings us to those common “real life” usage questions that parents so often have. For those, we particularly like these straightforward answers that the AAP shares in their Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2012.

Q: What do I do if my baby slouches down or to the side in his car seat?

A: Blanket rolls may be placed on both sides of the infant and a small diaper or blanket between the crotch strap and the infant. Do not place padding under or behind the infant or use any sort of car seat insert unless it came with the seat or was made by the manufacturer of the seat.

Q: Can I adjust the straps when my baby is wearing thicker clothing, like in the winter?

A: Yes, but make sure the harnesses are still snug. Also remember to tighten the straps again after the thicker clothes are no longer needed. Ideally, dress your baby in thinner layers instead of a bulky coat or snowsuit, and tuck a blanket around your baby over the buckled harness straps if needed.

Q: Are rear-facing convertible seats OK to use for preemies?

A: Premature infants should be tested while still in the hospital to make sure they can ride safely in a reclined position. Babies who need to lie flat during travel should ride in a crash-tested car bed. Very small infants who can ride safely in a reclined position usually fit better in rear-facing-only seats; however, if you need to use a convertible seat, choose one without a tray-shield harness. The shields often are too big and too far from the body to fit correctly and the child’s face could hit the shield in a crash.

Q: What if my baby’s feet touch the back of the vehicle seat [when rear facing]?

A: Your child can bend his legs easily and will be comfortable in a rear-facing seat. Injuries to the legs are rare for children facing the rear.

Q: What if I drive more children than can be buckled safely in the back seat?

A: It’s best to avoid this, especially if your vehicle has air bags in the front seat. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. If absolutely necessary, a child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness may be the best choice to ride in front. Just be sure the vehicle seat is moved as far back away from the dashboard (and the air bag) as possible.

Q: Should my child ride in a car seat on an airplane?

A: Most infant, convertible and forward-facing seats can be used on airplanes, but booster seats and travel vests cannot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that when flying, children should be securely fastened in certified child restraints until 4 years of age, and then should be secured with the airplane seat belts. This will help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence. Check the label on your car seat or call the car seat manufacturer before you travel to see if your seat is certified for use on an airplane. (Both our Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30 and the Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible are approved for in-flight use. For more on this, read Ready for Takeoff? and And We’re Off!)

Q: Is there a difference between high-back and backless boosters?

A: Both types of boosters are designed to raise your child so the seat belts fit properly and both will reduce your child’s risk of injury in a crash. … Many seats that look like high-back boosters are actually combination seats. They come with harnesses that can be used for smaller children and then removed for older children. Backless boosters are usually less expensive and are easier to move from one vehicle to another. Backless boosters can be used safely in vehicles with headrests and high seat backs.

After more than 60 years of designing and manufacturing products for babies and children across the globe, we are privileged to have shared in the responsibility of watching over little ones for so many years. It is a responsibility we take to heart.

It was recently brought to our attention that there has been confusion regarding safety testing for the current U.S. Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible and the Viaggio Convertibile (a discontinued European product). While both Peg Perego child restraints are classified as convertibles, they differ in shape, construction, weight and age range. The Viaggio Convertibile was never on the market in the United States and is no longer available in Europe.

The Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible has exceeded all mandatory testing and safety requirements put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible has also passed and exceeded testing for side-impact protection (SIP), although not required of child restraints sold in the United States.

It is also equipped with some of the most advanced safety features in car seats today:

SIP: A Side Impact Protection head panel protects child’s head, neck and spine. It easily adjusts to 10 different positions, even with child in the seat, ensuring a perfect — and safe — fit.

EPS: Energy-absorbing foam, Expanded Poly Styrene, in shell and head panel absorbs crash forces, resulting in less force transferred directly to child, minimizing injuries in the event of a crash.

SAFE: A Shock Absorbing Foam Element device located below the shell crumples upon impact, reducing stress on child’s neck and shoulders in the event of a crash.

Quick-Release, Five-Point Safety Harness: Made with a “cobblestone” webbing of extra-strong polyester thread.

As always, we welcome your questions. In fact, we love hearing from you. Please leave your comments and questions below or email us directly at onlineassociate@pegperego.com.

For this week’s post, we’re getting a little help from our friends—our Italian friends at our headquarters in Arcore, Italy. Check out this interview they did with engineer and child restraint systems global manager for Peg Perego, Andrea Agrati.

Quality and safety are the foundation of all Peg Perego products, yet that focus is inevitably heightened when discussing car transportation. We recently sat down with Andrea Agrati, engineer and child restraint systems global manager for Peg Perego, to ask him a few questions about his job. For Agrati, manufacturing car seats means being constantly attentive and ready to implement new regulations or new solutions for our small passengers’ safety.

Q: How do you work in this sense? Are there continuous tests and adjustments?

A: At Peg Perego, [one of our core values is] to only market products we have designed and studied and manufactured in-house. I’m lucky to work with a small, well-organized team made up of young mothers and fathers who study products with their [own] children’s safety in mind.

What’s more, we’re not only attentive to what our competitors are doing, but to what’s going on in cross sectors, such as the auto, fashion and new technology industries. As for regulations, car products are directly certified for use by the various transportation ministries, and even those who develop innovative solutions must always receive their approval before marketing a car seat. As for continuous testing, monitoring production with scheduled tests is mandatory in our sector. This is not only an excellent guarantee for our young customers, but also for us since we can thus monitor the entire production process, especially critical component purchases.

Q: What factors do you and the team consider when developing new innovative products?

A: The first reference is always to safety regulations. However, this is mandatory for everybody. Other “drivers” must be considered in order to create a winning product. It must be convenient and easy to use by mothers and fathers and grandparents. It must be comfortable for the child. And it must convey the safety of a durable and well-made product to the purchaser. You shouldn’t let yourself be misguided by ultra high-tech products. They are often hard to use and thus unsafe.

Q: Here’s a question we often hear from customers: Why do car seats have an expiration date?

A: Because they are mainly made of plastic, a material that can be altered more than others by wear and sun exposure. Over time, plastic tends to become fragile, or hard with poor resistance to the shocks like those in car accidents. Furthermore, the expiration date encourages the consumer to purchase more recent and safer products. A new car, with perhaps 6-8 standard airbags, is much safer than the same car manufactured 15 years ago. The same applies to car seats.

Q: Parents sometimes feel as if children are not really comfortable with the restriction system. They often ask if they can add a cushion or pillow to let their children sleep better. Is this a good idea?

A: Unfortunately, there are some rules that depend on natural physics. You should always remember that car seats must perform two important functions. The first is to protect the occupant from vehicle parts that could hit him/her in an accident. The second is to protect the child when braking, ensuring that the child’s body is protected against forces that could damage him/her … Of the two, perhaps the second function is more important.

Perhaps less intuitively, but more understandable in this job, [is that] braking has less effects on the child the harder the surface, the smaller the product and the more restricted the child is. Unfortunately, comfort and safety are not [always] on the same page, but we [do] attempt to find the best compromise. Cushions and pillows increase the force on the child during an accident and prevent the safety belt from being correctly fastened. If pillows and boosters are used, they must be those supplied with the product or directly designed by the manufacturer who certifies them with suitable dynamic tests.

Q: Is there data, wording or an example that you use to convince friends never to put kids in the car without adequate restrictions?

A: I believe that we are all conscious of this fact; there are countless examples and articles in the news. Our job is to manufacture safe car seats, but we cannot make anyone buy them and use them unless out of respect for their children and for the law. Our job is to relentlessly improve products. Correct car transportation depends on two factors—a car seat suited to the child’s age and correct installation.

Q: Out of curiosity, how many car seats have you installed for relatives and friends?

A: Truthfully, I try not to, to see whether our products are easy or hard to install [by typical customers]. Sometimes I have fun playing teacher…[especially] if the result is ensuring our little angels are always protected.

Do you have a question for our engineers? Please ask it by commenting below. We’ll do our very best to get you the answers you need.

When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, the very first thing I went out shopping for was a car seat. It seemed like the most important thing to have checked off my long to-do list well before she arrived. She was so tiny, and the world was so big, I had to protect her.

I became a mommy-to-be on a mission. I scoured the Internet for safety ratings. I read real-life mommy reviews and pored over manufacturer specifications. I visited my local baby store half-a-dozen times. Once the decision was made, the seat was bought and promptly installed in the car, months before baby was to arrive.

When she did arrive, those first few days were a blur. But there is one memory I still hang on to, even today. We were about to be discharged from the hospital, and my husband had gone down to get the car. I found myself alone for the very first time with my sweet baby girl. It was a flood of emotions as I soon realized this tiny pink bundle was my responsibility. I instinctively began getting her ready for the outside world, changing her diaper one last time, dressing her in the puffy pink bunting (specially designed for the car seat with holes for a five-point safety harness) that we had gotten to protect her from the cold New York winter, and placing her in her car seat. I clicked the buckle, smoothed the harness over her shoulders and gave her a kiss.

Click. Check. Kiss. She was ready to go, and so was I.

My sweet baby girl is nearly 6. She starts kindergarten next week, and she has long outgrown her puffy pink bunting and infant car seat. In fact, she’s on car seat number three now. And even though she’s bigger, I can tell you, I still feel the very same way about finding a car seat.

That’s why as a mom I was so happy when Peg Perego announced they would be coming out with a new booster seat this year. I was even happier when they agreed to give me the Viaggio HBB 120 a few months ago to use and test with my daughter. (The HBB doesn’t arrive in stores until later this month.)

Going from a convertible car seat to a booster is a big step. And as a mom, it’s a little hard saying goodbye to that big, bulky seat with its built-in harness and “tank-like” structure. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Viaggio HBB 120, designed for children 40 to 120 pounds, had so many of the same features as my Primo Viaggio SIP 5-70 Convertible.

Used along with the vehicle’s lap/shoulder belt, the Viaggio HBB 120 provides total Side Impact Protection (SIP) with wide, padded wings at the head and shoulder level and Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) in the head panel and seat cushion. LATCH connectors add extra stability and keep the booster seat in place when not in use. The head panel (which goes to six different positions) and the easy-access recline handle are easy to adjust for perfect positioning.

I loved the fabric (mine came in breathable Crystal Black, but the Viaggio HBB 120 is also available in Crystal Beige, Crystal Red and “Prima Classe” Cacao and Licorice). And my daughter loved the fact that it had two cup holders. This, of course, was her favorite part as she climbed up in it for the first time.

Once again she seemed so small, and the world seemed so big.

“Mom, mom! Let’s go!” her little voice interrupted my reminiscing. I took a deep breath and marveled, just where had my baby gone? Then, instinctively, I started to buckle her up in the last car seat she’ll ever have. But she stopped me. “I can do it!” she exclaimed. She clicked the buckle, smoothed the seat belt over her chest, and this time, she kissed me

Click. Check. Kiss. She was ready to go, and so was I.

The Viaggio HBB 120 arrives in stores later this month. Use our Store Locator to find a retailer near you.

Where do we start with our new Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70 car seat? The new addition to our Viaggio car seat family follows your child from infancy through toddlerhood, providing comfort, style and safety for them from 5 to 70 pounds.

The Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70 converts from rear facing (for children 5 to 45 lbs.) to forward facing (for children 22 to 70 pounds, or up to 49 inches). Its Side Impact Protection head panel protects child’s head, neck and spine and easily adjusts to 10 different positions, even with baby in the seat, ensuring a perfect – and safe – fit. The Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70 also features energy-absorbing foam, Expanded Poly Styrene, in the shell and head panel, and a Shock Absorbing Foam Element (SAFE) below the shell that crumples upon impact.

Plus, baby will look great (and be comfortable) with the seat’s innovative Fresco Jersey performance fabric (it’s breathable, absorbs moisture and is easy to clean), which is available in six sophisticated color ways.

Of course, we are excited about this new addition to Viaggio car seat family, but what do some of the leading baby bloggers have to say about the Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70?

The BabyGuy Gear Guide

“That’s Amore …” is how the BabyGuy entitled his blog about the Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70. That’s good news for us … and for you! Here’s what Jamie Grayson had to say:

“It’s an incredibly attractive seat … a sexy and sleek design for parents who don’t want to muck-up their car. The upholstery is gorgeous and the Jersey Fresco fabric is so soft I’m jealous. Got a carsick kiddo? Don’t worry—the fabric can be removed for hand-washing … The LATCH install is very easy, and the lock-offs for seatbelt installation are actually quite easy to use compared to others on the market.

Moooooo-ve over, because there’s a new car seat in town. And it’s a damn good one. Great job, Italians. Great job.”

Baby Gizmo

Baby Gizmo took an “up close and personal” look at the Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70. Blog founder Hollie Schultz said you need to “take notice”!

“One of our favorite features of the Primo Viaggio Convertible 5-70 seat is the adjustable Side Impact Protection (SIP) that is super easy to adjust to 10 different positions, even with baby in the seat. This adjustment not only moves the headpiece but the harness straps as well. No more uninstalling the car seat and re-threading harnesses with this one! Booyah!”

Mommy Loves Coffee

Christina Holt of Mommy Loves Coffee points out that Peg Perego is “widely known for their exceptional details to safety and style.” Here’s what she said about one of the comfort features of Primo Viaggio Convertible 5-70:

“It is a Fresco Jersey performance fabric. It’s very breathable. It absorbs a lot of moisture and will keep your baby cool and comfortable, even in the black. It’s never been hot to the touch. My child has never been uncomfortable while sitting in it, and he’s a hotbox!”

The Primo Viaggio SIP Convertible 5-70 is available now! Use our Where to Buy tool to find a retailer near you.